effects of technological developments

Question 1

what is mass production

Answer 1

• large scale
• highly mechanised
• resulted in the development of a consumer society

Question 2

what is a consumer society

Answer 2

social inclination towards acquiring evermore goods and services

Question 3

what is the industrial revolution

Answer 3

change from craft based to an industrial society during the late 18th century and early 19th century

Question 4

20th century developments in mass production

Answer 4

• division of labour where workers carry out a single process in turn
• Henry Ford pioneer
• mass-consumerism in 1930s
• consumers wanting cool things as well as useful things

Question 5

what is planned obsolescence

Answer 5

• the designer of a product deliberately creates a product that’s life span is shortened

Question 6

effect of mass production on employment

Answer 6

• increase in mechanisation has meant that less people are required to carry out a task in a wide range of industries
• manufacture of inexpensive consumer goods by low skilled workers initially led to poor working conditions, low wages, industrial unrest and also pollution to the environment
• machines could replace skilled workers this lead to the demise of high skilled craft work
• modern computer based design and highly automated manufacture requires few highly skilled technicians with lower skilled workers carrying out more mundane tasks
• lean production initiatives increase motivation at all levels to improve quality